Marine Unit & Dive Team

Responsibilities

The Marine Unit was formed in 1996 to provide the department the capability to conduct law enforcement operations on the inland lakes of Kenosha County and Lake Michigan. Unit missions include:

  • Boat safety patrols
  • Criminal investigations
  • Department Dive Team support
  • Rescue operations

The unit conducts regular patrols of inland lakes and Lake Michigan during the summer months and enforces Wisconsin Boating Statutes. The unit has also been used to patrol the Fox River during periods of flooding in the spring.

Photo of KSD Marine Unit boatEquipment & Funding

In 2008 we obtained a 26-foot Mako 261 with twin 225 horsepower outboard engines from the U.S. Coast Guard. This craft is capable of operating on any Wisconsin waters and in most weather and water conditions. The unit also leases two waverunners each year through the Yamaha Law Enforcement Program to patrol inland lakes.

New in 2000 was a 17-foot Lund patrol boat equipped with a 90 horsepower Mercury Outboard. The department also receives funding from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for officer salaries and equipment costs related to enforcement patrols.